Visitor attendance soared by 10% compared to last year, while the event welcomed 18% more Hosted Buyers from over 120 countries. More than 2,350 exhibitors engaged with attendees, underscoring the dynamic growth and reach of IBTM World.
Sue Baimbridge, Chief Commercial Officer, RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, commented: “This is our first year exhibiting at IBTM World as part of our strategy to grow our business pipeline for 2025 when we become part of the Vignette Collection from IHG Hotels & Resorts. With 56 meeting rooms and over 7,000sqm of meeting space, the business events market is crucial for our business.
“The quality of buyers and volume of meetings over the past three days at IBTM has been brilliant. I’m returning to Osaka with eight solid leads and another five or six business leads to follow up on in the next few weeks. The meeting booking system and support I’ve received from the IBTM team have been excellent and I’m looking forward to returning next year!”
A Celebration of People Power
With its 2024 theme, Championing People Power Potential, IBTM World highlighted the profound achievements made possible when cutting-edge technology is combined with the collective effort of event professionals. The event showcased the central belief that drives the industry forward: success is built on collaboration and the strength of human connections.
Shaping the Future Through Insight and Advocacy
The conference programme emphasized themes such as Insight, Innovation, Social Responsibility, and Advocacy, aiming to foster collaboration and shared learning. The lineup featured three standout keynote speakers:
- Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, a five-time Paralympic medalist, opened the Main Stage with an inspiring discussion on empowering individuals, cultivating team spirit, and embracing inclusivity.
- Simone Heng, a specialist in human connection, delivered a compelling address on the value of meaningful relationships in the evolving AI landscape.
- On the final day, Julius Solaris, founder of Boldpush, joined experts from Buro Happold and Seen Presents Ltd to explore ways to create authentic, human-centric event experiences in a tech-driven world.
Innovative Features and Programmes
IBTM World 2024 introduced several groundbreaking initiatives designed to fuel innovation and collaboration:
- Exceptional Experiences Programme: Tailored for in-house event professionals and marketers, this programme focused on creating impactful experiences to drive business growth. Speakers from Amazon, TikTok, and Canva were among the highlights.
- The Hotel Pavilion: A new platform for independent and boutique hotels debuted, offering them a dedicated space to showcase their unique offerings.
- Forum for Advocacy: Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and academics, this forum addressed critical issues, including over-tourism, climate change, and the economic impact of business events.
Insights and Industry Trends
The event also launched two major industry reports:
- Trends Report 2024: Authored by Alistair Turner, this report emphasized the growing importance of talent and highlighted the emergence of a new breed of event professionals tailored to meet the sector’s evolving needs.
- Global Destination Report: Published by The Business of Events, the report revealed positive budget stability trends in developed regions while addressing ongoing disparities in economic benefits and staffing challenges.
Revolutionizing Event Technology
IBTM World 2024 showcased its status as a leader in event technology with advanced tools designed to enhance both exhibitor and attendee experiences:
- Lead Booster and Lead Manager App: These tools empowered exhibitors to target the right leads and manage them in real time.
- Colleqt QR Technology: This feature allowed visitors to seamlessly gather exhibitor information via QR codes, eliminating the need for physical brochures while ensuring no lead went unrecorded.
A Vision for the Future
IBTM World 2024 not only celebrated the achievements of the past but also set a clear direction for the future of the global events industry. By combining innovation, advocacy, and the power of human connection, the event reinforced its position as a cornerstone of progress and collaboration in the sector.
Leading the way
Claudia Hall, IBTM World Exhibition Director, said: “It’s been an absolutely thrilling three days, not least because we were celebrating a very special 20th anniversary in Barcelona, which only enhanced the feeling of camaraderie and togetherness.
“As they do every year, our wonderful IBTM World community arrived with a thirst for knowledge, a hunger for opportunities, and an enthusiasm to make connections that will take the global events industry from strength to strength.
“Our show didn’t disappoint. Between the phenomenal speakers with their captivating insights and ideas, our passionate exhibitors eager to engage, and the imaginative new initiatives designed to provide targeted and tangible support, it’s been an incredible gathering that reminds me just what a community we are in the events industry and how much we have to offer the world as a sector.”
Tags: Sue Baimbridge, RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka, Claudia Hall, IBTM, IBTM World 2024